While local legislators may hold different views on issues affecting the region they have one thing in common: Turlock.

Thursday evening legislators of all levels of government convened at the Turlock Chamber of Commerce to interface with constituents and speak about the issues facing the Valley. Unsurprisingly water was a common theme, but legislators also spoke to the importance of job creation and spearheading education in the Valley.

“The biggest concern a lot of constituents have in my district is the lack of jobs and the lack of water,” said Senator Tom Berryhill (R–Twain Hart).

Assembly Republican Minority Leader Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto) echoed a similar sentiment and noted the importance of spearheading educational initiatives in the Valley, something that the Central Valley Caucus is working on in Sacramento. California State University, Stanislaus President Josef Sheley was present and said not only getting high school students into college, but getting college students into the local career force is vital to growth.

While the legislators addressed serious issues unique to their constituents, overall the tone of the event was optimistic and Turlock was hailed as a regional gem for being collaborative and future oriented.

“It’s not that way in every community,” Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa pointed out.